July 20, 2015

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Know Your Strength

I know...it is Monday. Life has been a bit crazy/busy in the E house. Hope you had a wonderful Sunday, and may this get your Monday going in the right direction.

When I first started teaching, I was afraid of weaving. I had never done it before! That was a problem because it was in every grade level's curriculum. I had no idea how I was going to teach something I had never personally experienced(This was before Google & YouTube!!). I humbled myself and asked some other art teachers to help me out. The first couple years were really a struggle. I did not take to weaving as quickly as I'd hoped. However, I did not give up. I also did not stop asking for help. I knew I needed it. If I was going to be the art teacher my students needed...I had to continue to humble myself & ask those better at weaving for help. Weakness is not failure....it is opportunity.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Paul(the author of 2 Corinthians), had some amazing strengths! He spoke with great power & authority, was not afraid of hard work, and brought God's truth to all (Jew & Gentile). However, despite his obvious strengths....he never lost site of his weaknesses. Those that only see THEIR strengths will not see a need for their greatest strength...JESUS. Paul knew that he could not do what he was doing in his own. It was only by the power/strength of the Lord. His weakness (and knowledge of it) allowed him to truly embrace his "STRENGTH". Have you ever met those people that think they have it all together. They don't see a need for a Savior because they aren't really THAT bad. If only they could be content in their weaknesses so they could realize the power & strength of Christ in their life. Those weaknesses bring us before the Lord on our knees. In Christ, our weaknesses can become strengths & our strengths can become the thing that God chooses to use for His glory.

Oh, if you are wondering about my "relationship" with weaving now....my blog posts on weaving are some of my most commented on, pinned, and e-mailed about. What was a weakness is now a strength, and I'm still learning more about weaving and different weaving projects every year!

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, help me to acknowledge my weakness & give it to you. My true strength comes from you & you alone. I want to know my need for You...and live a life that is daily surrendered to You.